Coalition Wind Farm policy a worrying entry to environment debate

Posted by Phil Evans on February 12, 2014

After waiting many months for the release of Coalition policies on the environment, Ted Baillieu's first foray into the realm of environment does not bode well for the Party in the build up to the state election.

Media release May 14, 2010

Â After waiting many months for the release of Coalition policies on the environment, Ted Baillieu's first foray into the realm of environment does not bode well for the Party in the build up to the state election.

â€œThis is the first climate or renewable energy policy we've had from the Coalition in the run-up to the November election, and so has been met with considerable anticipation by the environment movement. Yet it seems designed to prevent investment in renewable energyâ€, said Friends of the Earth campaigns co-ordinator Cam Walker.

â€œChoosing to launch a policy on renewable energy when he has not consulted the renewable energy industry and which seems to be a wish list from the Landscape Guardians is nothing less than bizarre.â€

â€œEveryone agrees that there have been a range of problems with the roll out of renewable energy, especially wind energy, in the state. In its Green Jobs package ('Jobs for the FutureÂ Economy') released late last month, the State government has sought to clarify planning processes for this type of development in order to remove these problems. This plan proposes a 'green door' program to facilitate renewable energy projects but only if developers commit to applying good practice consultation principles with local communities. These are clearly spelt out in the packageâ€.

â€œThe government's Green Jobs package sets out the type of approach that we will need if we want to drive innovation in renewables. What MrÂ Baillieu is proposing is policy that is backward looking and destructive to investment in renewables and the creation of many new green jobs across the state â€“ especially in rural Victoriaâ€.

â€œWe hope that his next environment announcement is more constructive and more aligned with the wishes of the broader community. Most people want to see a massive expansion of the renewable energy industry in Victoria. Mr Baillieu's 'no go' zones for wind farms cover large areas of the state most suited to wind farms. We need decisions for new farms to be based on sound policy, not simply on the concerns of vested interest groupsâ€.

Friends of the Earth acknowledge that we meet and work on the land of the Wurundjeri people and that sovereignty of the land of the Kulin Nation were never ceded. We pay respect to their Elders, past and present, and acknowledge the pivotal role that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to play within the Australian community.